A look back at top moments of 2024

A look back at top moments of 2024

As the end of a year is upon us, we are reflecting on some of the accomplishments, milestones and moments that have defined Lipscomb University in 2024.

Office of Public Relations & Communications | 12/28/2024

Below are just a few highlights of significant moments from 2024 that are just a glimpse of all of the exciting things that have taken place in the Lipscomb community this year.

Giving Day

Giving Day 2024 (pictured above) was truly one for the record books. In just 24 hours, Lipscomb alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends came together to make history, raising a record-breaking $2.7 million. The ambitious goal of receiving gifts from 3,700 donors was shattered with 4,320 donors, resulting in $2,795,564 in donations. This is the third consecutive year that Giving Day generated more than $2 million to support students. Read more.

Army Partnership Award

This spring the innovative partnership between the Tennessee National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters and Lipscomb's College of Leadership & Public Service received a prestigious U.S. Army Community Partnership Award. The partnership that earned this prestigious recognition is a Lipscomb Master of Arts in Leadership and Public Service program which offers a specialized cohort for Tennessee National Guard service members. This was one of only six awards given nationally. Read more.

Launch of Innovative New Programs

Among the top moments of 2024 at Lipscomb was the launch of four innovative academic programs. These programs are among the first of their kind in Tennessee and across the country and are designed to meet workforce needs.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Lipscomb's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program offers a fast track for individuals with a bachelor's degree in another field to transition into nursing. Students can earn their BSN in just 16 months through a hybrid format combining online and in-person learning. With healthcare being Nashville's largest industry, the ABSN program positions graduates to fill critical roles in the $97 billion local healthcare sector. Lipscomb nursing students consistently achieve high first-time NCLEX pass rates, ensuring readiness for the demands of the profession.

Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence
Lipscomb's Master of Science in applied artificial intelligence (AI) program is the first graduate program in AI in Nashville, addressing the need for expertise in this rapidly evolving field. The program equips students with practical knowledge in AI applications across industries such as healthcare, business, and entertainment. The flexible program can be completed in as little as 18 months, with options for online, in-person, and hybrid learning. Courses cover foundational AI principles, ethics and applications in various fields.

Entertainment, Design & Creative Enterprise Stackable Graduate Certificates
The George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts (CEA) introduced the Entertainment, Design & Creative Enterprise Stackable Graduate Certificates Program, the first of its kind in Tennessee. This innovative initiative offers certificates in screenwriting, television writing, animation, and more, enabling artists and entertainment professionals to upskill quickly. Designed to be completed in as few as nine months, the program's flexible online format makes it accessible from anywhere. With opportunities to engage with industry leaders and participate in workshops and networking events, students gain both technical skills and valuable connections.

Master of Science in Sport Analytics
Lipscomb's new Master of Science in sport analytics is the first program of its kind in Tennessee and one of only three in the southern United States. The program responds to the rapid growth of the sports analytics industry, which generated over $2.5 billion in revenue in 2021 and is projected to grow by 27% in the next five years, according to MarketsandMarkets.com. The program prepares students for roles in professional and collegiate sports, e-sports, and sports marketing agencies. With a flexible online format and industry-focused capstone opportunities, students can complete the program in just one year.

LIFE program milestone

Four students participating in Lipscomb University's Lipscomb Initiative for Education (LIFE) Program at Riverbend Maximum Security Institute (RMSI) received Associate of Arts degrees in a graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 16. This is the first time that college degrees have been awarded to students at Riverbend through Lipscomb's LIFE program. As part of the Lipscomb program, these inmates received face-to-face instruction from university professors at the prison one night a week through the Lipscomb LIFE program as students earn college credit for these courses. This culminates nearly a decade of study and work for these graduates. Read more.

New distinguished professorships established

This year, through the generosity of donors, three distinguished professorships were established, two of which are endowed. The goal of these professorships is to attract the nation's top thought leaders and scholars to Lipscomb, engaging students and the community.

The Bill and Crissy Haslam Endowed Distinguished Visiting Professor of Faith and Reason was established thanks to a generous gift from the Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation. This new professorship is a testament to the legacy of former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and his wife, Crissy, recognizing their influential leadership shaped by faith and reason. The purpose of the endowed professorship is to attract the nation's top thought leaders and scholars to Lipscomb, engaging students, the city of Nashville and the state of Tennessee at the intersection of faith and reason through a Christ-centered worldview. Scholars in this role will not only teach but also participate in university and community speaking engagements, fostering a deeper understanding and integration of faith and reason in academic and public life. Lipscomb University has prioritized endowed and funded distinguished professorships as it continues to rise as a nationally renowned Christian university.

A generous gift from the James Stephen Turner Family Foundation established the Turner Family Distinguished Visiting Professor of Public Policy to attract the nation's top thought leaders and experts to advance civic education and engage students as well as the larger community in thoughtful discourse at the intersection of faith, citizenship and public life. New York Times columnist, former constitutional litigator and Iraqi War veteran David A. French is the first appointee to this professorship, housed in Lipscomb's College of Leadership & Public Service. The professorship will enable Lipscomb University to expand its academic offerings, enhance student engagement in critical societal issues and serve as a national leader in civil education and discourse. Through this professorship, French, who has a visiting faculty appointment at Lipscomb, will teach traditional and short-courses as well as support special events and engagements on a variety of topics including free speech, the dynamics of American politics and the role of the United States on the global stage. This is a three-year faculty appointment, during which French will continue his work with the New York Times.

A new endowed professorship was established in the College of Bible & Ministry thanks to the generosity of Lipscomb Board of Trustee member Terry Koonce. The Dr. Kenneth Terry Koonce Distinguished Professor of Bible and Ministry will fund a full-time faculty member in the college who will teach undergraduate and graduate courses among other scholarly activities. Alden Bass was appointed the inaugural Terry Koonce Distinguished Chair of Bible and Ministry. Prior to his work at Lipscomb, Bass held faculty appointments at Oklahoma Christian University and Saint Louis University. Endowed professorships allow the university to attract, retain and recognize exceptional faculty while providing a consistent source of funding for use in research, teaching, service and unique extracurricular learning opportunities.

Lipscomb sweeps ASUN All-Sports Awards

2024 was an exciting year for Lipscomb Athletics as the Bisons swept all three Atlantic Sun Conference All-Sports Awards. They were awarded the Bill Bibb All-Sports Trophy, given to the ASUN institution with the top overall athletic program within the current academic year. In addition, the Bisons won the Jesse C. Fletcher Men's All-Sports Trophy and the Sherman Day Women's All-Sports Trophy. Read the full story.

Another enrollment record

Lipscomb University achieved another significant enrollment milestone this fall - the largest incoming class of new freshmen in the university's history. For the second consecutive year, Lipscomb surpassed its previous first-time freshman record. Read more.

Bibles for new students

Another memorable moment happened this fall as the newest members of the Bison Herd embarked on a new tradition to start the new school year. Thanks to the generosity of a donor, as part of QuestWeek each incoming undergraduate student received a purple Lipscomb Bible. The Bibles serve as a tangible reminder of Lipscomb's Christ-centered mission and the university's dedication to nurturing the spiritual lives of its students. Read more.

A Century of Student Government

This fall Lipscomb celebrated 100 YEARS of student government, which has been an important part of campus life at Lipscomb. The Student Government Association celebrated with a party for all students in Bison Square. Read more about a century of student government at Lipscomb.

Lighting of the Green turns 20

In December Lipscomb University community ushered in the holiday season as more than 3,000 people gathered in front of Allen Bell Tower for the 20th annual Lighting of the Green. Each year thousands of people from the Nashville community gather on campus to enjoy holiday cheer with Amy Grant and her best musical friends along with Lipscomb Academy and Lipscomb University choruses and ensembles. It's the best way to start the Christmas season. Read more about 20 years of Lighting of the Green.

Find more news and highlights of the year in the 2024 President's Report and at lipscomb.edu/news/all-news.

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